SBS World News Radio

.When you think of birdwatching, retirees probably come to mind. But a new generation is picking up binoculars and taking on the hobby. What was once an escape from the online world is making a comeback online.

As the holiday season hits there's nothing like grabbing a good book, heading to a cool shady spot and reading a story that takes you into another world. But with so many digital distractions, how popular are books and what genres are catching readers' interest the most? Please note: This story contains sexual references.

As with most years, the health sector has been a constant source of news stories - from outbreaks of illnesses to outstanding medical research, from politics to pandemics, from injuries to infections. SBS news looks back at some of the medical stories that hit the news in 2025.

.Raising funds to ease homelessness among women is the focus of a Sydney hotel, one of 12,000 social enterprises in Australia that combine profit with purpose.

President Donald Trump says the United States has launched a 'powerful and deadly' strike against IS in north-western Nigeria. Mr Trump described those killed as 'terrorist scum' who had been targeting and killing primarily innocent Christians.

A hotline supporting refugees who have fled war, violence and persecution has received a funding boost after the Bondi terror attack. Those running the hotline service in New South Wales says the funding will allow it to extend its reach nationally, supporting refugees as they navigate the ongoing effects of complex trauma and triggers of what happened at Bondi.

Melbourne's trams have been part of the city for more than 140 years. Almost half a million people ride them each day — but few know the story behind the seats they sit on.

The sporting universe provided both a welcome distraction from the problems of the world in 2025... as well as a whole heap of drama and intrigue of its own.

Lake St Clair is surrounded by Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage area and was carved out by glaciers over millions of years. It's around twice as deep as Bass Strait, but Australia's deepest lake has never been fully mapped. Until now: CSIRO scientists have produced the first 3D map of the underwater landscape, confirming the vast depth of the natural wonder.

It's not science fiction, but it has elements. It's not romance, but it touches the heart. It's not fantasy but don't be surprised if you encounter a werewolf or an elf. It's the new literary craze which is taking the book world by storm, driven by millions of fans on the social media platform TikTok. It's called romantasy.

As Australians prepare to celebrate Christmas, charities across the country are stepping in to support those most at risk of loneliness and isolation during the holiday season. Wesley Mission is hosting a free Christmas Day lunch to bring together people from all walks of life, while disability and community services work to ensure vulnerable Australians are not left without care or connection over the end of year shutdown.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Mathan Somasundram from Deep Data Analytics about the better than expected US GDP result and what it means for interest rates, plus a look ahead to 2026 on the markets.

As Ukraine approaches another wartime Christmas, the contrast between diplomacy and destruction could hardly be sharper. While Kyiv says it has strengthened draft peace proposals in talks with the United States, Russia has launched one of its largest combined drone and missile attacks of the year, striking homes, power infrastructure and front-line towns.

The Peterson Space Force Base in the US city of Colorado Springs is normally busy tracking military targets. But this Christmas, it has another important mission: following the progress of Santa across the world on Christmas Eve. The North American Aerospace Defence Command - NORAD - has been doing this important work for the past 70 years.

2025 has been a huge year for geopolitics, natural disasters and a changing of the guard at the top levers of international power and influence. We look back at the key moments.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Jamie Hannah from VanEck to find out what's driving the market as the Santa Rally continues.

The United States and Venezuela are edging closer to a serious diplomatic confrontation, after the US seized two oil tankers linked to the Venezuelan government in international waters, with a third now under pursuit. Venezuela accuses the US of piracy and an illegal naval blockade, as pressure mounts on the country's already sanctioned oil industry, with both Iran and China stating matters could spiral out of control.

Laws to restrict the right to protest in New South Wales after the Bondi terror attack have passed the Parliament after a marathon sitting. A broad coalition of groups has expressed strong opposition, characterising the reforms as overreach and a serious threat to democracy. A constitutional challenge has been announced but the government is standing firm, setting the stage for a High Court challenge.

It has been a turbulent 12 months for Australians with unity in the community tested with the spillover of tensions from global conflicts. There was also milestone moments with the trial of mushroom cook Erin Patterson, and the ongoing impact of climate-driven weather extremes.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Alex Pikoulas, CFA from Munjarra Capital about the day's sharemarket action and asks, is the Santa rally here?

Israel's move to authorise 19 West Bank settlements has reignited debate over security, annexation and the future of a Palestinian state. Supporters say it formalises existing outposts, while critics say it deepens occupation and fuels violence. The decision has also sharpened political divisions here in Australia over recognition and the two-state solution.

A National Day of Reflection has been held on Sunday to commemorate victims of the Bondi mass shooting last week. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also announced a review into federal intelligence agencies, as Sydney and Melbourne police warned of safety as an-immigration protests took place.

.The Capitol riot in January 2021 set off the largest criminal investigation in the Justice Department's history. On his first day back in office, US President Donald Trump granted clemency to every criminally charged January 6 rioter. Now, prosecutors who handled Capitol riot cases face a new threat: Justice Department officials advising how to pursue — and perhaps prosecute — the very prosecutors who helped put them behind bars.

For Australian politics in 2025, it was a year of predictable policies - and shock results. That included the May election that saw Labor win back government in a landslide, and two separate party leaders - Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt - lose their seats. We back at the year in Canberra.

Collective grief is a common experience, following a mass tragedy like the one Australia bore witness to at Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed in the terror attack, and ever since there's been an outpouring of grief across Australia and around the world, especially among Jewish communities who were targeted in the attack. Rituals play an important role in the Jewish community, and experts say they are an essential part of the grieving process.

Jessica Joelle Alexander is a parenting expert, author and cultural researcher, with a specific expertise in the Danish parenting approach. Denmark has been ranked among the 'happiest' countries in the world for more than a decade and a big part of this ranking has been linked to learning empathy from a young age. Her books and research explores this concept - and how parents can foster compassion,resilience, emotional-intelligence and human connection from an early age.

Denmark has been ranked among the 'happiest' countries in the world for more than a decade. Some experts suggest this is due to a focus on learning compassion, empathy and human connection at an early age, which supports positive inter-personal relations and conflict resolution in adulthood.

As Christmas Eve fast approaches, Santa and his elves are putting the finishing touches on festive preparations at Santa Claus Village in Finnish Lapland. The Arctic Circle outpost is buzzing with holiday magic as Santa delivers his verdict on naughty and nice, and shares a message of kindness and peace for the holiday season ahead.

From former poachers now protecting endangered species to farmers adapting crops and traditions to help local wildlife, 2025 has been a brighter year for conservationists and the world's wildlife.

As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes a part of everyday life for Australians, the ACCC is warning the technology also brings growing risks. In its AI industry snapshot, the consumer watchdog says AI is being used to fuel fake reviews, ghost websites and increasingly sophisticated online scams, making them harder to detect – and warns the rapid expansion of AI-enabled products and services could pose potential harms to consumers and competition if left unchecked. SBS's Stephanie Youssef spoke with ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb about whether AI is creating a new generation of digital monopolies and why it's calling for stronger monitoring powers to keep pace with the evolving industry.

Refugees and asylum seekers face long-term barriers to employment. Some find their first job with one of Australia's 12-thousand social enterprises.

Allegra Spender is the independent MP representing the federal electorate of Wentworth that takes in Bondi, the scene of last Sunday's terror attack. She says she and the government have failed the Jewish Australian community and they should be moving faster to prevent hate speech. She's been speaking with SBS's Anton Enus.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Mahjabeen Zaman fron ANZ as the UK cuts interest rates, Japan raises them and US inflation eases more than expected, lifting the prospect of lower rates there.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will establish a new national gun buyback scheme, following the terror attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday. And this Sunday will see a nationwide day of reflection to remember the victims of the shooting.

A United Nations report has found Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces killed more than 1,000 civilians during an April raid on the Zamzam displacement camp in Darfur. Based on survivor testimonies, the report documents mass executions, widespread sexual violence, torture, and the killing of aid workers. This violence has become a characteristic of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group which has since gone on to repeat these acts in the takeover of the nearby city of Al-Fasher.

European Union leaders are facing a critical decision on whether they should use frozen Russian assets to finance more support for Ukraine's war effort.

Researchers are hoping an early-warning system that will be trialled in Vietnam could help to reduce the growing number of dengue fever cases. Dengue fever is the world's most prevalent mosquito-borne disease and cases have been increasing across the Western Pacific and South East Asia. A computer model which will serve as an early-warning system will be rolled out across selected districts in Vietnam's Mekong Delta early next year.

Environment and business groups says work has just begun to ensure Australia's environment laws are more effective in practice. Parliament passed the first major overhaul in two decades this year, but stakeholders say the devil may be in the detail.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Henry Jennings from Marcus Today about the day's sharemarket action including Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill leaving for BP.

Terror strikes the iconic sands of Bondi Beach, sending shockwaves through Australia and Jewish communities worldwide - how did the deadly attack unfold, and what does it mean for national security? Plus, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signals cautious optimism in high-stakes Ukraine peace talks but is a deal with Russia any closer? And Donald Trump brands fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction' as tensions escalate with Venezuela.

In the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack over the weekend, the Albanese government is fast-tracking a suite of legislative reforms aimed at cracking down on hate speech and tightening migration laws to avert individuals with extremist views. While the government faces pressure to introduce harsher border policies, it has rejected calls for a Royal Commission, arguing that immediate executive action and enforcement are more urgent than a lengthy public inquiry.

Australia's social cohesion has come under scrutiny in the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, while multicultural communities have come together in vigils and public acts of solidarity with Jewish Australians. The tragic mass shooting, deemed a terror attack by New South Wales Police, saw 15 people killed at a Hanukkah festival on Sunday. As leaders debate tougher laws against hate speech and extremism, Muslim and Jewish voices alike have warned against collective blame, as fears grow of a potential Islamophobic backlash.

In the wake of the Bondi beach tragedy last weekend, Sydney has welcomed new mental health support systems. New South Wales Health is offering support for anyone affected - both directly and indirectly.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled a mid-year budget update marked by fiscal restraint, highlighting a $5.4 billion improvement to the deficit alongside critical new funding for the CSIRO and community security. However, the outlook remains fraught as rising inflation threatens real wage growth and persistent spending pressures in childcare and the NDIS continue to squeeze the bottom line.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Shane Oliver from AMP about the implications the government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook will have on inflation as Kyle Rodda from Capital.com looks through the day's sharemarket action including Westpac's change of heart on interest rates

On the 14th of December, as an antisemitic mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach, several heroes emerged, most notably Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim man of Syrian origin who courageously disarmed one of the attackers. But he was not the only Middle-Eastern Muslim to risk his life to put a stop to the attack. There was another Middle-Eastern Muslim man who risked his life to disarm the other shooter. However, his lawyer says due to his Middle-Eastern appearance and all-black attire, he was thought to be one of the shooters. As a result, he was shot at by police, then set upon by a small crowd of people.

High-level diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are gaining momentum, with United States and European leaders hoping to secure a path to peace before Christmas. US President Donald Trump says negotiations on a draft peace plan have made significant progress. While Ukraine has welcomed the proposal, key issues remain unresolved, including the future of Russian-occupied territory and security guarantees to prevent renewed aggression.

The deadly Bondi mass shooting has intensified the national debate over Australia's gun laws. However, some prominent figures, including former Prime Minister John Howard, caution against letting the debate be diverted from the growing threat of antisemitism. So what are the opposing arguments from gun control advocates and pro-gun lobbies on whether current laws are adequate? The tragedy is fuelling a controversial political discussion around immigration and Australian values.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Jonathan Shead from State Street Investment Management about the day's market action including where interest rates are going and the opportunities for investors in 2026.

.A mass shooting at one of Australia's most famous beaches, targeting revellers at a Jewish holiday celebration, has generated shock and grief around the world. As condolences pour in, the Jewish diaspora and supporters have held vigils for those impacted by the tragedy -and a message of defiance against hate.

The Bondi Beach shooting has seen state, territory and federal politicians agree that Australia's already stringent gun laws need to be reviewed and strengthened. The National Firearms Agreement was introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre to standardise rules about who could own a gun - and why. But experts on firearms legislation say some holes in the rules have become apparent. In New South Wales, applications to have a firearms licence are handled by the Gun Registry - which came under intense scrutiny after a tragic murder suicide in 2018, when an estranged father, John Edwards, fatally shot his teenage children. He had a history of domestic violence which hadn't been flagged to the Gun Registry. Not all the changes recommended after the Edwards inquest have been implemented. Deborah Groarke spoke to Maya Arguello who's a law and criminology expert at the Swinburne University of Technology.